Beta-blockade reverses regional dysfunction in ischemic myocardium.

To determine the protective effect of oxprenolol-induced beta-blockade on the compromised myocardium (critical constriction of the left anterior descending coronary artery) against the adverse effect of high concentrations of halothane, halothane dose-response curves were obtained in six dogs in each of three phases: preconstriction (control), critical constriction, and critical constriction with the addition of 0.3 mg/kg intravenous oxprenolol. The extent of depression of ventricular function was essentially the same in the three phases. However, at high halothane concentrations (2.0% inspired), the depression of systolic shortening in the compromised segment was significantly minimized after oxprenolol so that shortening was 10.2% +/- 1.8 instead of 6.5% +/- 1.4 (P less than 0.05); moreover the large increase in postsystolic shortening observed during critical constriction was abolished after oxprenolol. This suggests a protective effect of oxprenolol on regional myocardial function in the presence of critical constriction, possibly by an effect on myocardial metabolism or endocardial blood flow.